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Children looking at Crissy Marsh at the Presidio, with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background. Photo by Little Bee Preschool.

Crissy Marsh

Crissy Marsh’s revitalized wetlands are the perfect place for birdwatching during a walk in nature.

Region

Crissy Field Region

Type

Habitat, Recreation & Wellness

Interests

Nature & Sustainability

Top Amenities

Accessible Restrooms, Free Parking, Bike Parking, Golden Gate View, Muni Bus-accessible

This natural crossroads between the Presidio’s largest watershed and the salty waters of the Bay is an oasis for birds, flora, and humans alike.

Following decades as an Army airfield and industrial area, Crissy Marsh – located right next to Crissy Field East Beach just across from Presidio Tunnel Tops – debuted in 2001 as part of the shoreline’s restoration.

Crissy Marsh is where birds – and people – love to flock. More than 100 avian species have found something irresistible about this 20-acre stretch of pristine wetland. Be it shorebirds or feathered fliers on a pitstop along the Pacific Flyway, Crissy Marsh plays a vital role in San Francisco’s shoreline ecosystem.

Take it all in from the nearby Golden Gate Promenade or the boardwalk over the marsh.

Getting to Crissy Marsh

Open in Google Maps

Map of the Presidio

By Public Transit

Muni Route: 30 Stockton

Stop: Mason Street & Halleck Street

By Presidio GO Shuttle

Route: Downtown Route

Stop: Presidio Transit Center

Directions: From Presidio Transit Center, follow Halleck Street or walk through Presidio Tunnel Tops for 0.6 miles to reach Crissy Marsh.

Parking

There is a free Crissy Field parking lot nearby at Crissy Field East Beach. Flexible on when you visit? Avoid peak demand for parking by planning a weekday trip.

Why We Love Crissy Marsh

Crissy Marsh is where eagle-eyed birdwatchers go to spot Caspian Terns, Belted Kingfishers, and Great Egrets. Beyond the birds, the area’s brackish waters are home to nearly 100,000 plants representing 110 native species. In addition, this area offers amazing views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and Angel Island.

Accessibility at Crissy Marsh

Crissy Marsh is on the Muni 30 bus line and offers nearby parking for those with mobility limitations at the Crissy Field East Beach lot. The closest accessible restrooms can also be found at East Beach.

Insider Tip

Crissy Marsh is at the northernmost end of the Tennessee Hollow Watershed – it’s where the waters flow into San Francisco Bay. Experience the entire watershed on a two-mile self-guided trek that begins nearby. Learn more about the Tennessee Hollow Trail.

Two men near the boardwalk at Crissy Marsh.Photo by Alison Taggart-Barone.

A PLACE TO EXPERIENCE NATURE IN THE PRESIDIO

This is one of the best places in San Francisco to birdwatch. It’s a well-worth-it stop while taking a shoreline stroll.

Talk a Walk Along the Golden Gate Promenade/Bay Trail SF

Stop at Crissy Marsh while enjoying a walk along the Golden Gate Promenade/Bay Trail SF. A footbridge lets you stand right over the marsh and watch the show the birds put on.

Birds in Crissy Marsh at the Presidio with the Golden Gate Bridge at the background.

Near One of the Best Playgrounds in San Francisco

Kids can enjoy a fun time exploring nature at the marsh and then head across the street to the free Outpost playground at Presidio Tunnel Tops to jump, climb, and crawl on play structures made from things in nature.

Presidio Food is Nearby

On many days, Presidio Pop Up food trucks are right across the street next to the Outpost playground.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Restrooms are nearby at Crissy Field East Beach. They are open daily.

The Golden Gate Promenade/Bay Trail SF run right alongside Crissy Marsh. The Tennessee Hollow Trail, which runs from the marsh all the way up through the park’s largest watershed, has a trailhead nearby.

The seven-acre Quartermaster Reach Marsh connects to Crissy Marsh through viaducts that run underneath Mason Street at Crissy Field. Fresh water flows through Quartermaster Reach Marsh into Crissy Marsh before flowing to San Francisco Bay.

Over the course of five years, beginning in the late 1990s, Crissy Marsh was transformed from pavement to a natural habitat. The entire 100-acre shoreline restoration was revealed to the public in 2001. The effort was led by the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and the National Park Service.

Nature Notes

It’s our goal to make sure people can enjoy the Presidio’s natural beauty for generations to come. We work to protect native plants and animals while reducing our impact on the environment.

Keeping Crissy Marsh Flowing

Periodically, the marsh gets a helping hand as park staff dredge sediment from the channel to keep waters flowing into San Francisco Bay.

Excavator at Crissy Marsh in the Presidio.Photo source:

Park Itineraries

Need help planning your day at the Presidio? We’ve put together some itinerary ideas for things to see and do in the park. Whether you’re planning to spend a few hours or an entire day, there’s something for everyone at the Presidio.

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